Production of the new Renault Trafic has begun in Sandouville, France, following an inaugration ceremony by Chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn.
From the second quarter of 2016, this new line will also produce a vehicle for Fiat – based upon the same platform as the All-New Trafic – with a total estimated volume of 100,000 vehicles.
This is a consequence of the Renault agreement that was signed in March, 2013, with social partners, called the ‘Contract for a new dynamic of Renault growth and social development in France’.
Opened in 1964, the Sandouville plant will produce commercial vehicles for the first time. This new tooling called for an investment of €230 million and three years of work. With the production of All-New Trafic at Sandouville, the Renault brand now manufactures all of its Europe-bound LCVs in France.
As part of the agreement signed between the two companies in July, Fiat-Chrysler has signed a deal with Renault to produce a new van model based on Trafic platform, with a total estimated volume of 100,000 vehicles to be manufactured from the second quarter of 2016. The styling of the Fiat vehicle will be developed by Fiat and will feature unique and distinctive elements on the model, branded Fiat Professional.
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault Group, made a point of personally congratulating staff and thanking them for their hard work. “The transformation of the Sandouville plant and the new agreement signed with Fiat position it as a key player in the growing light commercial vehicle market” he said.
